Apple MacBook Air 13" M3 vs Dell XPS 13 Plus (2024)
MacBook Air M3 delivers exceptional value at $1099 with Apple's efficient M3 chip, superior 18-hour battery life, and sharper 2560x1664 display. Dell XPS 13 Plus costs $200 more while offering Intel's Core Ultra 7 with double the RAM (16GB vs 8GB) and twice the storage (512GB vs 256GB), though battery life drops to 12 hours and resolution falls to 1920x1200. Performance-wise, both handle everyday tasks admirably, but M3's thermal efficiency and macOS optimization edge ahead for sustained workloads. The MacBook's Liquid Retina screen is noticeably crisper, while Dell's InfinityEdge design looks premium but non-touch limits interactivity. Storage expandability matters—neither allows upgrades, making MacBook's 256GB limiting for some users. For students, creatives, and general users prioritizing battery life and display quality at competitive pricing, MacBook Air M3 is the superior choice. Dell appeals to Windows loyalists needing more RAM and storage upfront.
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple MacBook Air 13" M3 | Dell XPS 13 Plus (2024) |
|---|---|---|
| Software | macOS Sequoia | Windows 11 Home |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 1.24 kg | 1.24 kg |
| Material | Aluminum unibody | CNC aluminum |
| Dimensions | 304.1 x 215.0 x 11.3 mm | 295.3 x 199.0 x 15.3 mm |
| Ports | ||
| MagSafe | — | |
| Thunderbolt ports | 2 | 2 |
| HDMI | — | 0 |
| USB-C ports | — | 0 |
| SD card | — | |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 18 hours wireless web | Up to 12 hours mixed use |
| Capacity | 52.6 Wh | 55 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 13.6 inches | 13.4 inches |
| Type | Liquid Retina IPS LED | InfinityEdge IPS non-touch |
| Resolution | 2560 x 1664 | 1920 x 1200 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 60Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 500 | 500 |
| Storage | ||
| SSD | 256 GB | 512 GB NVMe |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Keyboard | ||
| Backlit | ||
| Touch Bar | ||
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 8 GB unified | 16 GB LPDDR5x |
| Cores | 8-core CPU, 8-core GPU | 16-core (6P+8E+2LPE) |
| Chipset | Apple M3 | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H |
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple MacBook Air 13" M3
Pros
- Light and portable at 1.24 kg
- Excellent fanless M3 efficiency
- Bright 500-nit Liquid Retina display
- Up to 18 hours of battery life
- Supports two external displays with lid closed
Cons
- 8 GB base RAM increasingly limiting
- Only two Thunderbolt ports
- 256 GB SSD uses single NAND chip with slower speeds
- No high-refresh display
- Limited port selection
Dell XPS 13 Plus (2024)
Pros
- Remarkably thin and light at 1.24 kg
- Striking futuristic design with zero-lattice keyboard
- Strong Intel Core Ultra performance
- Excellent build quality with premium aluminum finish
- Optional 4K OLED upgrade available
Cons
- Only two Thunderbolt ports — no USB-A, HDMI, or SD card
- Capacitive function row lacks tactile feedback
- Soldered RAM and SSD cannot be upgraded
- Battery life is merely average for an ultrabook
- Haptic touchpad has invisible borders
Related Comparisons
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